Spider-Man and the X-Men in Arcade's Revenge (SNES) Playthrough

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Published on April 21, 2025 12:00:00 AM ● Video Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XlfNvGaCVHM

Game:

Spider-Man and the X-Men in Arcade's Revenge (1992)

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Playthrough of LJN's 1992 platformer for the Super Nintendo, Spider-Man and the X-Men in Arcade's Revenge.

Spider-Man and the X-Men in Arcade’s Revenge is a 1992 action-platformer developed by Software Creations and published by LJN, released for the Super Nintendo and Sega Genesis. The game brings together some of Marvel’s most iconic characters—Spider-Man, Wolverine, Cyclops, Storm, and Gambit—in a crossover that pits them against the villainous Arcade and his twisted Murderworld amusement park. Designed as a multi-character adventure, the game challenges players with a gauntlet of unique stages tailored to each hero’s abilities and enemies.

The game begins with Spider-Man investigating a series of kidnappings that turn out to be orchestrated by Arcade. After a brief web-slinging intro level, players must complete a set of stages featuring the captured X-Men, each one navigating a bizarre and often unforgiving environment crafted to reflect Arcade’s sadistic creativity. Wolverine battles through funhouses and clowns armed with deadly mallets, Cyclops escapes from a collapsing underground mine while being pursued by killer robots, Storm swims through deadly underwater mazes, and Gambit outruns a rolling spike-covered ball while leaping across crumbling platforms.

Gameplay varies significantly between characters, and while the ambition to offer different styles is admirable, the execution often falls short. Controls can feel stiff and unresponsive, with clunky hit detection and frustrating level design that leans heavily on trial and error. Each character has their own life meter and limited continues, making the game feel punishingly difficult, especially given the limited checkpoints and the high frequency of instant-death traps.

Visually, the game is colorful and captures the comic book aesthetic with bold sprite work and distinct enemy designs. The music, composed by Tim and Geoff Follin, is a standout feature—particularly on the SNES—featuring layered, energetic tracks that elevate the otherwise uneven gameplay experience. Despite its flaws, Spider-Man and the X-Men in Arcade’s Revenge holds a nostalgic appeal for many fans who grew up during the height of '90s superhero culture. It’s a curious relic from an era when superhero games were still finding their footing, full of ambition and style, if not always substance.